march2022 - 25

Introducing smarter and more
eco-friendly changes to operations
enables the industry to reduce the
current impact on the environment
caused directly by ground handling
business.
others can each contribute. Coupled
to increasing awareness across the
organization comes the responsibility to
recognize sustainability as a full-fledged
part of the business. It should not be
regarded as something different or extra
- but part of the working activities of all
involved, " says Rhodes.
According to BGS officials, to
make a change one has to constantly
encourage it.
" We provide various training,
including sustainability training, to
our staff to ensure that they are well
familiar with the topic, " says Kliokiene.
" We put a lot of effort working on our
ESG strategy and our top management
continually encourage even the smallest
green initiatives from all employees and
emphasize the importance of sustainable
attitude not only at work, but also in
personal life. "
While there may be potential for some
endanger the whole aviation system
in view of generating possible delays.
Therefore, airports need to provide
solutions which enable workers to
continue doing so, " he says. " GHSPs are
reliant on airport operators to create the
respective processes and infrastructure,
whether that be for battery electric or
hydrogen energy. "
CAH has in place the implementation
of investments and orders for
mechanization means considering its
preference for electrified equipment over
diesel equipment.
" Ideally, the equipment that is offered
with solar panels for self-charging
means. At present, we have several
boarding stairs of this kind, " say
CAH officials.
" Another example of this type of
equipment are belt-loaders. As part
of handling an aircraft, we make
every effort to reduce the number of
technical crossings and thus allocate the
equipment to more places so that it is
more easily accessible. " they add.
While certain electrical GSE might
have higher initial costs, in the long
run it tends to even save money, points
out Kliokiene.
" Electric GSE run at lower operating
and maintenance costs than regular
diesel counterparts. Therefore, investing
in such equipment proves to be highly
beneficial, " she says. " Our companies are
constantly introducing new equipment
to their fleets and, when possible, opt
for more sustainable, electric versions of
the equipment. "
In the context of this transition
to electric GSE, standards relating
to new equipment have to match
existing standards, or even improve it,
according to Rhodes.
" As we move from a carbon-driven
environment to one that is decarbonized,
a harmonized and industry-approved
regulatory approach will be essential
to ensuring continued safe ground
operations, " he says.
Frame of Mind
In order for the aviation community to
work together on the decarbonization
challenge ahead, awareness with
operational employees is also required.
" Pilots and air traffic control officers
are a straightforward example, but
maintenance personnel, ground handling
agents, airport personnel and many
mindset changes with regards to being
more carbon efficient, it should be noted
that to an extent GHSPs are limited to
the level of changes they can make,
according to Rhodes.
" Their role is to operate the GSE
available, using the number of GSE
necessary to carry out the job at hand,
which is dependent of the aircraft type,
size, its load factor, and the ground time, "
he says. " Nonetheless, as we all embark
on this sustainability journey together,
awareness and education campaigns
for staff should be considered in order
for staff to understand the impact
of the choices they make on a daily
operational basis. "
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
DR. MARIO PIEROBON
Mario Pierobon provides
solutions in the areas
of documentation,
training and consulting to
organizations operating in
safety sensitive industries.
He has conducted a
doctoral research project
investigating aircraft ground handling safety.
He may be reached at mariopierobon@az-allin-one.com.
March
2022 || AviationPros.com || 25
BGS
http://www.AviationPros.com
march2022

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of march2022
